all three together

I took over 500 photos, on two separate occasions. And this is my favorite photo. It is so fitting of what happens in my house. The youngest one does something naughty, and the older two laugh. Not that putting snow on your sisters head is naughty. But, when your mother is trying to get a good photo, of smiling faces, it turns the simple act of funny, to naughty. For a tiny moment.

And I know this is going to be a shock, but I am 99% sure that I am completely blowing off the Christmas cards. I know. That is the reason I made the sweaters. However, Christmas is now eight days away (eight) and I just don't feel like having a card cramming session. (Especially since the advent cramming session is still going on.)

And on the list for the new year? Writing up the pattern for the "libby" sweater.

97
comments

Oh, I love, love this photo. It's the perfect action shot, but better yet, the most precious reality of the love siblings have for one another.

Hey, you know, a card would have been nice, and people may ask you for it. But, the photo is what I think you'll treasure most down the road. And you could always do the card after the holidays for those special someones, you know, extend the Spirit of the season for a really good New Year!

I'm blowing off the Christmas cards too. I don't feel like having a card cramming session either, and they just didn't get done earlier with everything I had going for school. Oh well!

And the photo is so sweet! It's all about finding the one that best shows who they are.

I was looking at my aunt and uncle's family photo outtakes. They have kids in college, and there was one where all 4 of them are flipping off the camera, and it sort of seemed like who they are too! So funny!

Ha! At my house it's worse, with four kids, but what can you do? We went to a studio (twice!) and I know that I have not one picture where they are all smiling. But at the same time, it captures life at your house, which is probably a good thing, too. Love the knitting, though!

Oh, and don't worry about blowing off the cards. I've done that many a year.

Christmas cards have ben blown off for the last few years here at maison Frogdancer. It's the end of the school year here when Christmas is around (last day today hooray!!!!) and there's just too much else to do.

Ah ha! I'm totally with you on ducking out on cards this year. I made a conscious decision a few days ago that I was too late to get started, had some guilt at the mailbox as the cards start rolling in, but why stress? I'm thinking if I'm feeling abitious during the actualy holidays I may do a seasonal card but its unlikely!

I'm with you on ditching the card thing. My favorite thing about Christmas cards is hearing from everyone, getting pictures and seeing how their doing. I feel like I should do my part by sending out cards and pictures. But I didn't get any card-worthy pictures this year, and you know what? My blog serves the same purpose. If people want to know how I am doing, they can read my blog. It's far more interesting and fun than a lone Christmas card sent once a year. Call me Scrooge...

I love this photo, you can feel the fun and closeness between your children. It's beautiful.

I'm not doing Christmas cards this year either, I'm planning on 'Welcome to the New Year cards' instead. The plan is to send them in the first week of January wishing everyone the best for the 2009 year and sharing a little about my Christmas/New Year celebrations. I thought this would be a nice thing to do once the rush of Christmas preparation is over. I can't claim credit for the idea, I'm pretty sure it's a Japanese tradition.

Very very happy you are planning on writing up the Libby cardigan. It's beautiful and I would love to knit it for my niece.

Love the picture! This year I resorted to e-cards...let's you be last minute and you can include a photo. I use Blue Mountain's website and they have some nice options. Maybe that will help in your efforts! :) Just think of all the trees you are saving!

Downloaded the dreaded Advent mitten pattern yesterday. I think I'll start now so it is ready for next advent!

Love this photo...I really like Charlie's arm around Libby...so protectively sweet. I hear you on the Christmas cards...I don't even have a photo to use yet. I'm thinking about New Year's cards. We'll see.

Such a fun, heartwarming shot. What a handsome bunch in their beautiful handknits. Your Libby obviously inherited her mom's good looks!

I still haven't done my cards either. I may not get to it. The sucky thing about not doing cards is it ruins the receiving of them. I feel bad when I get another one in the mail, reminding me of what an underachiever I really am.

good for you- knowing your limits and stopping when something is just too much!

this photo is wonderful. add it to to a favorite frame and pull it out each year (just like your other when they were younger. the memories will last from year to year, while the card will be long forgotten.

I feel in the minority actually sending some this year - but not without moping around about spending the money on something so lame:) I feel like with the advent of e-mail, sadly (or not) the paper mail has become obsolete - and really, it's not a treat getting a holiday card with names scrawled and that's it! That's not catching up...Your picture is so cute though, your kiddos look like so much fun! And yes, get that Libby sweater written - :)

well you can always just send an email with their pic attached :)I love the photo, can't wait for the pattern to be available, I'd really like to make that for Kristen. And is Christmas really only 8 days away, gosh I hadn't even realized!! :-0

what a great photo, and forget the cards! the whole point is for the entire project, from knitting to mailing to be fun...and if you are not feeling it then forget em! or maybe email the picture as a substitute since that knitting is too pretty not to share! i hope the libby can be adjusted to fit people bigger than libby who love the sweater too! :)

What a great picture! And great knits. I may do the same re: the cards -- I think a lot of people are just not into cards this year. Not sure if it's that the holidays came up so quick after a late Thanksgiving or that it's one expense that people are just saying "no" to --

The Libby sweater is beautiful. I hope you write the pattern in adult sizes, too. I quit sending out Christmas cards 7 years ago and never looked back. Absolutely no one has ever mentioned that they noticed or even missed them.

I swear I'm blowing off the cards every year and one year I actually did. The only problem? Pete got calls asking why they were taken off our card list!

I actually like receiving cards the week after Christmas. There's something nice about extending the holiday past the 25th. So I've stopped stressing about getting them done before the 25th. There have been many years when I sent them out a week or two after Christmas -- and only with the help of Pete and the kids. Make it a family affair and do it at a time of YOUR choosing.

I still love this photo and if I received it in a card, I would think it was the best holiday photo EVER. So much more fun than the stiff posed shots.

Oh, I'm so with you on the cards... I, who may possibly be the most anal person alive, has YET TO EVEN TAKE A PICTURE! Usually they are stamped and mailed in the first week. I just don't have it in me this year. But your photography is excellent! And the picture looks like it would be a great one (an un-beheaded version, I'm assuming) and even if you choose not to send it to the 125 people on your list, your kids and you will have it forever, and that probably counts more. Maybe no one will even remember you didn't send it!

It does seem like Christmas crept up on us this year! I'm with you on the cards. I just don't think it is at the top of the priority list this year. The picture is so sweet, and their knits are beautiful! Merry Christmas, and a happy, peaceful New Year to you and your family!

Just wanted to thank you for the free pattern for "Those Mitts" I have made several pair for gifts this year, I know everyone will love them and am so proud to be able to give them a handmade gift.Thanks Again, from a new knitting addict- Cyndi

The picture is great! I love Libby's sweater. I only have sons, so please, please include sizing or even notes to be able to make it for me - an Adult S/M :) I really enjoy reading your blog. I also want to make the Ruffle Coat and Slouchy cardigan - you're such an inspiration! Thanks and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

What a joyful photo. And considering I just squeaked my cards into the mail this morning with crossed fingers - you'll get judgement from this direction. It's good to know limits sometimes! And the most important this is the tradition and the picture - which you'll always have.

Coming out of lurkdom to tell you how adorable that photo is! The kids' personalities are really apparent! Just a suggestion...you could always do New Years cards, rather than Christmas cards. I think they're especially nice to receive after the onslaught of Christmas cards.

Jolly good show on the sweaters and an even jollier good show on not doing the Christmas cards. I am boycotting the Christmas card thing this year also--there's just not enough time. I love your photo!

Ha, yeah, sometimes all the rules have to go right out the window. Here I wasn't thinking I couldn't do Christmas cards this year. At the last minute I got them all mailed out.That would be ummm, yesterday and a few more today:) These kiddos are too cute and fab sweaters.

Have great holidays, I am sure you will with your lovely children! Libbys sweater is fab.Life is to short to write cards when there is other stuff to do, I wouldn't worry. I wrote a few this year until I ran out of cards and then that was that. i am not going to buy any more!!

Your work is beautiful; your family is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing. I was lurking for a time, then following and now I just have to comment, too. Thank you for the toast and toasty patterns. I think I'll tear out the ones I have almost finished and make yours. . . just like the simplicity better. I also adore the Thanksgiving skirt. I never make anything for me, but that might have to be a project I put together. I've only been knitting for a couple of years, but love the zen of it. Blessings to you.

These are just fantastic! I dread trying to take pictures of all 4 of my kids at once. Hundreds of shots can go by and not one of them having all 4 looking at the camera and smiling at the same time. This is an amazing shot though. You can just see the love they have for each other and your daughter has the sweetest smile!

Hi -- I am a new knitter and finding myself quickly addicted! I remember seeing the vest you did for your sons back in December and when I backtracked, I did not see a pattern or which book you got if from? I would like to start one for my son and husband for a gift.

Thank you in advance for your help!

And, I love your blog...I read it at least once a week and it always inspires LOTS in me! Thank you.

Daniel, yea I can see what you probably did there. I really appreciated that part, however hehe I am not that harsh like my dad with these things. He at all times tells me crazy stories again in the day and calls me a loser. I guess it's time I move out of my dad and mom' basement LOL. Aaanyways, what about you? what does your dad think xD" Anyway, in my language, there are usually not a lot good source like this.

Hi, i learn your blog often and that i personal an identical one and i was simply questioning if you get numerous spam comments? If that's the case how do you forestall it, any plugin or something you may recommend? I am getting so much lately it is driving me mad so any help is very a lot appreciated. Anyway, in my language, there will not be a lot good supply like this.

Please inform me it worked proper? I dont need to sumit it again if i shouldn't have to! Both the blog glitced out or i'm an idiot, the second choice doesnt shock me lol. thanks for an ideal weblog! Anyway, in my language, there usually are not a lot good supply like this.

Please inform me it worked proper? I dont need to sumit it again if i shouldn't have to! Both the blog glitced out or i'm an idiot, the second choice doesnt shock me lol. thanks for an ideal weblog! Anyway, in my language, there usually are not a lot good supply like this.

Fantastic post! This could support plenty of folks discover out about this matter. Do you wish to incorporate video clips along with these? It could undoubtedly help out. Your cause was spot on and owing to you; I probably will not have to explain all the things to my pals. I can merely direct them here. Anyway, in my language, there should not much good supply like this.

Hey cool weblog, just questioning what anti-spam software program you employ for feedback as a result of i get heaps on my blog. Anyway, in my language, there usually are not a lot good source like this.